Vanessa's night without Nick

March 12, 2007|BY LIZ CROKIN

Nick Lachey's girlfriend Vanessa Minnillo and brother Drew hit the town Friday night in Chicago--but both of them were without their significant others.

There was no sign of Nick, or of Drew's wife, Lea. Minnillo and Drew Lachey were first spotted at Reserve nightclub with a group of friends on Friday night. "They drank champagne and had a good time," an eyewitness tells me. The pair closed down the club at 2 a.m. and then headed over to RiNo.

Minnillo and Lachey stayed there until closing time as well. Both were friendly and nice to the staff, a club source said. However, the party animals did not reveal an explanation for their trip to the Windy City.

My guess is that they were in town to visit relatives. Nick and Drew have come to town in the past to visit family. Even though Minnillo had a night out without her beau, it's possible that Nick was on her mind. "She kept checking her phone all night," a source tells me.

Afterparty

After being honored by Mayor Daley and the city of Chicago last Tuesday, Jennifer Hudson had some serious celebrating to do. The "Dreamgirls" star partied at Boutique nightclub with a bunch of her friends, including celebrities like "American Idol" star Fantasia Barrino and Chicago Bear Tommie Harris. Hudson danced and mingled with her fans. "She was really nice," fan Justin Wilkie said. "She took pictures with us and signed autographs."

Sightings

Actress and author Joan Collins recently dined at Bistro 110. ... I'm told Flavor Flav stayed at the House of Blues Hotel on Thursday night. ... Actor Mark Ruffalo was spotted watching sports at Flounder's recently. ... The members of the Goo Goo Dolls stayed at The James hotel last week. On Wednesday night, they dined at David Burke's Primehouse, and on Thursday night, they hung out at J Bar. ... Singer Pink shopped at Neiman Marcus on Sunday afternoon.

Timberlake alert

Welcome J.T.! Justin Timberlake arrived Sunday for the Chicago leg of his FutureSex/LoveShow tour. A source tells me Timberlake spent his first day in the Windy City taking in a matinee show of "Wicked" at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts. Timberlake will be bringing sexy back Monday and Tuesday at the Allstate Arena.